Canon zr video camera

I have a canon zr200 and canon zr300 camcorder. Recently, both have stopped retracting the tape carriage when a tape (all tapes) are loaded. When the tape carriage is empty, it retracts just fine, every time. This problem was sporadic at first and then finally it became permanent. I tried all posted solutions to no avail. Apparently this is a common problem with many models of CANON video cameras. I would think someone would have found a permanent working solution by now. I'm sure Canon knows but they are not sharing their secrets. Prefer the money gained in sending to them I guess. Canon had a good reputation, and these cameras are pips if it weren't for this persistent problem. It seems big enough that Canon should offer a recall to repair their cameras as Fuji and Sony did with their faulty CCD problem on there digital cameras. (i.e. A303, etc.). Canon reputation is going downhill rapidly because of things like this. Someone please help with a solution to this problem if you know of a real solution. So far only temporary solutions have been offered and no real reason offered (even from Canon) for this problem.

Same problem :( But my tspe is now stuck insideSame problem :(
But my tspe is now stuck inside

AnonymousJul 08, 2008

We have experienced the exact same problem. Will retract without a tape but nothing when ANY tape is inserted. FRUSTRATING.We have experienced the exact same problem. Will retract without a tape but nothing when ANY tape is inserted. FRUSTRATING.

Yes! I am facing the same problem with my ZR300. I do use the camcorder extensively. Yes! I am facing the same problem with my ZR300. I do use the camcorder extensively.

AnonymousJul 26, 2008

YES this is ridiculous, at first I thought it was something that I did, and I completely freaked out. I'm sort of relieved I'm not the only one. any solutions/suggestions?! YES this is ridiculous, at first I thought it was something that I did, and I completely freaked out. I'm sort of relieved I'm not the only one. any solutions/suggestions?!

AnonymousJul 27, 2008

hjkhkhjkhk

AnonymousAug 08, 2008

the tape in the camera will not come back out and tells me to eject the tape and the tape wont eject

the tape in the camera will not come back out and tells me to eject the tape and the tape wont eject

AnonymousAug 19, 2008

same prob. now it's just a paper weight .. help!bad canon, no donut!same prob. now it's just a paper weight .. help!
bad canon, no donut!

2 Answers

Anonymous

Re: canon zr video camera

I have the same problem with my zr200, its driving me nuts!!!
Everything looks and seems fine. Without a tape it works perfectly. With a tape it wont retract and it says to remove the tape. It just started out of the blue, no warning.

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Oftentimes on a camera of this age the motor for the tape transport will go out. I've had it happen on two older models. Your only option if this happens on every tape is to send it in for repair to Canon. It can be spendy though.

No. The Canon USA web site says the Canon DW-100 has a USB terminal and works with "USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (with compatible Canon camcorders only)." In other words, the Canon DW-100 burner works only with Canon's USB 2.0 camcorders. I have a Canon ZR200. The ZR200 has Firewire 400 digital video output, not USB 2.0 output. The USB port on the ZR200 is ONLY for still images. Video will not and cannot be output through the USB port on the ZR200. (Page 121 in the ZR200 manual mentions using the USB port on your camcorder for transferring still JPEG images to your computer.) You need a DVD burner with "DV Input" (also called Firewire 400 or IEEE 1394) to hook up your camcorder to burn Mini-DV tapes onto DVD. The Sony VRDMC10 Stand Alone DVD Recorder/Player has DV Input. The ZR200 camcorder did not come with a Firewire cable, but you can buy one at any electronics store or at a cheaper price online. Make sure that you get the right kind of Firewire cable, 4-pin to 4-pin or 4-pin to 6-pin, whatever the DVD burner you choose requires. (Your ZR200 has a 4-pin DV port on the camera's end.)
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (with compatible Canon camcorders only)

The tape transport mechanism cannot fully engage the tape to the head. When a tape is inserted, the tape guides have to pull the tape from the cartridge and send it towards the head. There is a sensor in the carriage that activates the transport to perform its' job. When that sensor is not enable, it will just allow the door to close and the tape guides will remain stationary.
Basically, it needs to be taken apart and fixed or realigned.

I have seen this problem many times, the recorder unit needs to be replaced, either something in the tape path has become out of alignment or dirty like a capstan motor or gears or the video head assy is defective. I hope this helps.

Hi,Its sign of clogged/ dirty video head in your camcorder, put Video Head Cleaning tape in camcorder to clean video heads, problem will be solved.MiniDV Video Head Cleaning Tape is available in stores.Thanks.

There is a fix for this which was posted for either the ZR 200 or 400. They call it the "Fonzie" fix. Just hit the camcorder with your fist on the side where the tape goes in (with the door closed). Hit it lightly once, try inserting the tape. Repeat this process with increasing force each time until this works.

Surprisingly, this worked for me. Obviously, there must be something loose for this type of solution to work. I actually had it working once, then it acted up again. I tried the same solution and it's working again. No problems for several days now.